Things That Hinder Us

“You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? (Galatians 5:7 NKJV) In their case, some of the Christians from Galatia were hindered from obeying the truth by some person or persons, likely Judaizing teachers according to the context. We can be hindered in obedience by other people or we can be hindered by things.

“Hinder” means “to hold back” or “prevent.” Lusts, evil desires can be a major hindrance to our obedience. But we must remember that evil desires can overcome us only if we allow them to do so. Doing what we know better than to do is clearly sin against God.

Slovenliness, laziness can also hold us back from obedience to God’s will. We often mention sins of “omission,” not doing things we should do. “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17 NKJV)

At the background of all obstacles to our obedience to God is “self.” When we do things our way instead of God’s way we are really holding ourselves back. If we keep in mind that God makes a way of escape for every temptation that we face, we will be more likely to accept responsibility for our own choices and actions. Then we will be less likely to think that we are being hindered against our will.